Cole Family: January 2008

There were some delays, so Andy actually got home at 10:30pm on Friday night, not 1:30 on Thursday afternoon. We met him at the gate when he de-planed and it was wonderful. Jack ran into the jetway to meet him. Madi was a few step behind and he scooped them both up into a giant bear hug. Drew was a little shy at first, but as of today he is talking a blue streak of babbles to him like he was never gone. And, the late night pick up time worked well b/c we got to talk on the way home since the kids were either asleep or zoned out watching a movie. Another surprise benefit of the late night pick-up was that Andy got to have one evening of peace in the house to get a little settled before the chaos of the kids set in the next day. We had to stop by the base on the way home, so it was past midnight when we finally arrived home. Side note: Madi was pumped that she made it past midnight for the first time ever.

Here is what we've been up to...Saturday morning the kids had ice skating lessons...so we headed out early for that. Later that afternoon we celebrated Andy's b-day and had a Welcome Home Cookie Cake. Sunday, we had homemade waffles (made by Andy) and later celebrated our family Christmas followed by watching the Cowboy's disappointing loss to the Giants! Andy took Madi to school today and officially signed in at the base then had an In N Out burger for lunch! We're trying to get into"life as usual" (at Andy's request)...so far so good. Andy keeps saying it's like he was never gone, but when he looks around he sees that things have changed. So, his sense of not being gone doesn't match up with the differences around him. I have to agree...now that he is here, it feels so much like he was never gone. Very strange how the mind works...

Here are some pictures.

Here are the kids in the terminal waiting for Andy with the Red, White and Blue clothes and Welcome Home signs.